Francis E Byrne

Military ROLL OF HONOUR
A bomber crew of the 91st Bomb Group at interrogation after a mission. Passed for publication 24 Mar 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Fortresses' Day Raid on Wilhelmshaven - The German Naval Base at Wilhelmshaven was successfully attacked in daylight March 22 by American Flying Fortresses and Liberators. This was the third heavy raid for U.S. bombers on Wilhelmshaven. Despite strong fighter opposition, the bombers battled their way to the target and dropped their loads of explosives. Three bombers were media-408095.jpg FRE 3522 A bomber crew led by Second Lieutenant John A Coen of the 91st Bomb Group at interrogation after a mission. Counter clockwise: Second Lieutenant John A Coen(Pilot) Staff Sergeant Louis T. McLane( Tail Gunner) ; Staff Sergeant Paul E Kyes, (Waist Gunner); Technical Sergeant John C Strozzi ( Flight Engineer & Top Turret Gunner), Sergeant Edward F Simon (Waist Gunner); Second Lieutenant David F Gladhart (Co-pilot) ; Staff Sergeant Francis E. Byrne (Ball Turret Gunner); Sergeant Domenic A Caruso( Radio Operator) ; Second Lieutenant John W. Butler ( Bombardier) ; Second Lieutenant Harold A. Davidson ( Navigator)- The debreifing officer is unknown. Passed for publication 24 Mar 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Fortresses' Day Raid on Wilhelmshaven - The German Naval Base at Wilhelmshaven was successfully attacked in daylight March 22 by American Flying Fortresses and Liberators. This was the third heavy raid for U.S. bombers on Wilhelmshaven. Despite strong fighter opposition, the bombers battled their way to the target and dropped their loads of explosives. Three bombers were lost. Associated Press photos show: the crew of a Fortress called Wheel and Deal in front of their bomber which had prop of one engine shot away. Members of crews taking refreshment, and chatting while awaiting interrogation. Being interrogated. Ground crews loading parachute harness, and uncovering bombers prior to take-off. Fortresses taxiing to the straight runway for interval take-off. Machineguns mounted in nose of Fortress to fight off frontal attacks. Gunner manning lethal weapon in nose of Fortress. Crew of the Delta Rebel which had just completed its 21st operational flight. Scoreboard on Fortress denoting number of raids and number of Nazis shots down.' On reverse: US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamp]. Print No: 254774. Roger Freeman Collection

Personnel identified by Daniel Lefebvre in 'Une Petit Livret, Une Grand Histoire' (42-9537) and Lowell Getz on 91 BG website

Object Number - FRE 3522 - A bomber crew led by Second Lieutenant John A Coen of the 91st Bomb Group at interrogation after a mission. Counter clockwise: Second Lieutenant John...

Shot down by fighters 28 March 1943 in B-17 #42-29537 'Mary Ruth Memories'. The assigned target was marshalling yards at Rouen/Sotteville. Plane crashed in Channel about one mile north of Fecamp, France. Byrne was only crewmember reported to survive and become a Prisoner of War (POW). He died of his wounds on April 8, 1943. A grave has not been located.



Air Medal, Purple Heart

Connections

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Units served with

Unofficial emblem of the 91st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 324th Bomb Squadron

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Prisoner of War (POW)

English Channel 28 March 1943 - 8 April 1943

Died

8 April 1943

Born

Connecticut

Buried

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a "-" to the A/C tail # in the "Summary biography" to aid clarity & consistency.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 16086 / MACR 16086, Losses of the 8th and 9th AFs Vol. 1 by Bishop and Hey p. 93 MACR 16086, The Ragged Irregulars of Bassingbourn by Havelaar p. 34 and appendix 4 Roll of Honor, ABMC and NARA web sites / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

Francis E Byrne: Gallery (2 items)